This Blog is intended for all of us to share our memories of growing up in Camarillo. The many friends we made along the way from grade school up to high school and everything in between. Let us know how and when you came to Camarillo. Who your friends were and some of the adventures you had along the way. Where you lived and some of your favorite places to go and hang out. What you enjoyed doing during the summer months.
Let our class of 69 know about our blog where we can all meet and learn about our former classmates. Who your best friend was and maybe who you dated or hung out with. Share some of the funny times you had as I had many which I will share at a future date.
What have you done over the last 40 years? What was your first job back in High School, jobs along the way and when are you retiring. How many children do you have and some of you may have Gradchildren. What are your hobbies and interests. Have a great time with our Blog!
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Thanks John Spohn for setting up a blog for all our classmates to visit. The year 1969 sure was a great one.
ReplyDeleteJohn, Can we call you Dr. John???? Now that we have a blog you could take our question's about world problems and calm our nerves. You were always good in Current Events. Ha
OK. now stop flipping your eyelids!!!
Until next time,
Mel Fithian (McCartney)
Another grand slam by the master...You would think you had way too much time on your hands, but we all know you find time for the things that fill your passion, and connecting and keeping people connected is your passion. Pretty obvious it is also a calling, not too many are even close to being this good. John you probably could be very good at starting a cult, thank goodness you mean well always...
ReplyDeleteI want to say thanks to you ALL for never letting me get away even though I left after 8th grade. So many of you stayed in my heart and soul for so long...The time I spent with you at Los Altos to this day remains a window of heaven for me. Only short of the 25 years I have had with the love of my life Gina my wife...
Take care class of '69, I will be on this allot....
Lance Luck
Well even tho I'm 1500 miles away and left Camarillo in '82' John you've always made me feel like I've had a Key to the City (Camarillo) and the people I grew up with,,, guess that makes u the Gate Keeper huh!!
ReplyDeleteI look at the Web page and show the people here at City Hall and they can't believe that so many arestill in contact with each other. Lance are'nt you the guy who craked everybody up with the " John and Marsha" rutine at Los Altos,, Man I remember that!!
till next time,,,
Mark Reeves
Mark,
ReplyDeleteYou actually remember that!! It was the talent show and I did "the yellow rose of Texas ans John & Marsha. Stan Freeberg album. Thanks for sharing that, I have so enjoyed the '69 site and reconnecting with everyone.
Remember when we would go into the apricot orchards and tomatoe fields and eat till we popped? Summer baseball every day , all day. We played at Dos Caminos school. John Beckman and his brothers, Rex Prey, Jeff Ropes ('70), Andy ? and his 2 older brothers, Brian and Jimbo Wetter, Danny Thomas (Joan's brother),Skip & Mark Pepe (Ceci's bro's), Gary Mays, me , Mark & Pat just to name a few.
We also used to go to the seminary up off Los Posas road, and when they first built the medical center off Los Posas, we spent all day riding our skateboards thru thru the parking lot...
Does anybody remember that monkey behind El Tecolote? We fed him pencil leads which he ate with a vengence.
Take care Mark...
Lance
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSharon,
ReplyDeleteYou got a great group to go to high school with. After all the years, they looked for me and kept me on the alumni list even though I never set foot on ACHS.
I had a chance to visit Camarillo back in, and John and Dave Morris really rolled out the red carpet for me. I was the best of friends with both those two when we went to Los Altos. So many precious times for me, and they really didn't realize how special it was to me. Now that some time has passed we all find ourselves seeing the real value of friendships and relationships from that window of time.
To that end please share the good times with good people with all of us thru this blog.
I have a special story I would like to share. When we graduated from 8th grade, my parents didn't come and i was very disappointed, and decided not to go to the grad dance. Kathy Ryan stayed with me after the ceremony and lifted my spirits beyond all the pain and showed me what a true friend does when they need someone to care. I will always remember her fondly as she bathed my heart with love and compassion. I was just a little angry boy back then and it still didn't stop her from caring.
Kathy wherever you are, thank you from the bottom of my heart for being the best of friends and giving me hope in a pretty hopeless situation, you are the very best ever...
Same goes for my best buddy Dave Morris and his Mom. I would go to his house and they would just accept me and love on me, then let Dave and I just have more fun than should be legal. Laughter and youthful freedom have a way of healing the heart, and it was always just what I would need to get thru another day. dave came to visit me when I moved back to Oxnard many years later, with his big smile and huge heart, once again giving me hope for a better future. Dave you are without a doubt one of my best friends, then and now. I don't say it enough so just handle it. Oh by the way, thanks for sharing your Mom with me and letting me be a part of the Morris clan for a season...
We had a big dinner at Dave & Kim's house, what a spread, and all for me, it blew my mind...Just goes to show you the caliber of people we had the honor of knowing back then. They just got better.
John proceeds to pick me up every day , cart me around all over the place, feed me, make me CD's of 60's music, pay for everything, take time off from work, go to the gym and wear me out, all just for me again. Johnny boy you are the best...Thanks
OK now classmates, jump in and get to posting stories and memories of your buddies and pals from ACHS. Nothing is too minor, we all love to hear about the times...
Lance Luck
ALWAYS ACHS 1969 in the heart...
My visit was in 2002.
ReplyDeleteI arrived in Camarillo as a 6th grader at Camarillo Hts with Ms. Knox as my teacher. I was shy and stayed pretty much to myself and a few friends throughout my 2 years at Los Altos. The one day I will never forget was the day Pres. Kennedy was killed and they played the radio broadcast over the school intercom. I'm sure you all remember too, and will always remember.
ReplyDeleteI remember being afraid of the PE teacher at Los Altos, who was a big muscular man who made the girls do bust exercises! Embarrassing!
I also remember people teasing the lunch teachers unmercifully, as well as the poor Spanish teacher, Ms. Sanchez. I really did learn some Spanish from her- even though I was afraid of her too.
When high school came around, I was still the picture of self-consciousness, and more scared than ever! I tried to be a good sport, and even volunteered to be sold as a slave on Slave Day, although I was totally humiliated doing it. (Can you even believe that was legal? Yikes!- I think that might have been the last year they allowed it-)
I made a few good friends, tried to stay out of Miss Aslaksan's way during pe because she thought I was a wimp and used to make fun of my asthma attacks...... I despised the gang showers!!!
The big year was my Junior year when I got brave enough to join the music dept with Scott Henderson and I was finally where I had always belonged. I lost my self-conciousness, and had the time of my life -finally- in my Junior and Senior years.
Since high school I have had four children- 2 boys and 2 girls, and am "Nonny" to 4 grandchildren whom I love with everything I have. I received my degree in Music Education 20 years ago and am currently teaching public elementary school music full time. I feel very lucky to work in the area of my first love!
The best thing about my life now, is being on my own and being at peace inside. There is nothing like it! My life is full and one of the most wonderful things about it is having the freedom to get back in touch with old friends after so many years. I am looking forward to this reunion SO MUCH and to seeing everyone!
Jane Ferguson
First, thanks to John for all his work on the website. Thanks to John, Joe, Mel and any others who helped with the reunion planning. I can't wait.
ReplyDeleteI can't think of a better place to grow up than the Camarillo/Somis area. And what a great bunch of people. I have terrific memories of HS, but my dad died when I was a freshman so life was a little complicated after that.
I went to kindergarten at PV, then to the Heights, followed by Los Altos. I was sent to the principal's office more than once during 8th grade for public display of affection. Yep, Mike Pierce. Surprise!
I once drove my dad's truck up near the ACHS gym and when it was time to leave, the access gates had been closed. I took a deep breath and drove the truck down the school's center hallway. I was terrified I'd hit the top of the hallway or get caught and be in trouble big time. Lucky for me I managed to avoid disaster.
I married a 1962 ACHS Grad. We moved to No. Cal just before I turned 30. We purchased some raw land and the first 6 months there was no running water. It was 18 months before we had electricity. During that time I became pregnant and had my daughter, Shannon. We joked about whether the baby or the electricity would arrive first. It was a draw. Shannon was born in the little cabin we were building. I swore I would never go camping again after living so rustically! But when my son, Robin was in Jr. High, I broke down and took the kids camping. Note of caution: do not sleep in a tent full of boys who are delighted by their bodily sounds.
My marriage lasted 20 years and then was renegotiated into a friendship.
I've been blessed with a great family: 2 children, two step children, 6 grandkids by marriage, incredible siblings and extended family. But the lights of my life are my daughter and son. The Lord blessed me deeply with those two.
It took me until I was 34 to finish my Bachelor's degree, and I've worked for the local electric company since 1981. I guess in a couple of years I'll retire (before they throw me out).
See you soon,
jan gill
Jan, you found the word I've been searching for- my marriage (of 28 yrs) was also "renegotiated" into a friendship. I like that way of looking at it- life happens- we deal with it and go on the best we can. Staying friends is far and above the best way, if at all possible.
ReplyDeleteI remember you as always being brave (and your stories concur with that!) and i looked up to you in school! i'm glad your life has been a great one. See you soon!
Jane (Graves) Ferguson
I remember the design that Chuck Walker came up with for the mascot of Los Altos. Our class picked the color green. Chuck was so good.
ReplyDeleteThe T-Burger (5 burgers for $1.00)
The A&W hamburger stand
More to come
Mickey
Hey, On our FaceBook for the classmates group could everyone post a pick of their grad pic or any teen pic. I'm having trouble with matching names to faces. At the reunion it would make recognizing people a little easier and bring back lost memories!!~ If u could post both then and now, what a help.
ReplyDeleteKatt Barrett
Dear Alum Guests,
ReplyDeleteI will miss all your smiles and hugs. (I can’t drive) I miss those songs from “Today Generation.” I got to see Paula, my sister and my mom. I believe God must want me early in Heaven. Softly.
Love,
Miss Cheryl Dalby
It is so good to see everyone using this blog. The reunion will no doubt be a time no one will regret attending. I for one am not going to be able to come. It truly breaks my heart because my time in Camarillo with all of you remains some of the most endearing memories of my life. I have such vivid and precious memories of all my friends and family from 64-65 at Los Altos. Many of you really don't realize how much you did to help someone else make it in life by simply caring. I think that is what separates this class from all others; there is not a class anywhere that could openly and honestly care more about one another.
ReplyDeleteMake sure at the reunion you say thank you to those who impacted your life by caring, you will be very busy I am sure. From me to all of you "THANK YOU" FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART...I will miss being there more than you will ever know...
SINCERELY,
Lance Luck
ACHS class of '69 in my heart...
Dear friends, classmates, and fellow AARP members,
ReplyDeleteFirst and foremost I would like to thank John Spohn for developing such a lasting tribute to our Camarillo High School class of 1969. His initiative, research, and creative energies have provided our class a unique and lasting opportunity to remain connected. His website is not only original but humorous, nostalgic, and informative. Job well done, John Spohn!
We will be attending our 40th high school reunion very shortly. All together now... “I can’t believe it’s been 40 years!” If you are like me, some high school memories you will recall with fondness while other memories…you’d rather forget, and there are still other memories you try to recall…but can’t! Sigh. Ultimately, the accumulation of all of those experiences combined with another 40 years of seasoning has shaped us to become the knowing (senior) citizens we are today. Somehow the word “senior” doesn’t quite feel the same to me as it did in 1969. In high school I couldn’t wait for my “Senior” year. As the saying goes “be careful what you wish for” because now we are Seniors for the rest of our lives!
I have been asked to contribute to this blog and I am happy to do so. Last year, John mentioned that he was in the early stages of developing a class of 1969 website. I thought, this is one person who really must have loved high school! In communicating with John about the website I came to realize what a tremendous asset this site could be. As high school students we shared goals, dreams, aspirations, trials and tribulations. 40 years later, we can continue to share past, present, and future experiences…through our own class of 1969 website. Perhaps our goals have either changed (girls, did you really want to be Miss America?) or been realized (a professional baseball player) but nonetheless what is obvious is that we are changed people, we are different people, and far more interesting people today, due to our life experiences than we were some 40 years ago. We are very fortunate to have this site to help us all remain connected. Please join us and share your own personal thoughts and experiences. We’d love to hear from you.
In my case, I will simply say that I have been extremely fortunate in life. I owe my gratitude in part to all of you due to the strong community values and loyal friends in Camarillo. My journey began upon high school graduation, when I moved to San Diego to attend college (and scuba dive!), met my husband some 35 years ago, and we have enjoyed a wonderful life with our son, daughter, son-in-law, grandson, and granddaughter, and very large extended family…and hope for more! We have enjoyed living in many different areas, the most unique having been a 10th century village on the Shannon River in Ireland. It was there, that I discovered that you cannot fully understand or appreciate what it is to be an American until you live outside of America. I also found that life can take you many places or you can take your life many places…I’m still looking forward to achieving my dream…once I find what that is!
By the way, I’ve changed my name I’m not Shirley anymore. I’m Grandma. Grandma Homer to be exact. I was named after our black Lab, Homer. My grandson named me when he was learning to talk. A glamorous name?...well probably not but it was well-earned and it took nearly 60 years to earn this name and it will forever be my favorite! Hey, I think I actually achieved my dream, maybe not the same one that I had in 1969…this one is so much better.
Warmest regards my friends,
Grandma Homer
(Shirley Pitts)
OK John,
ReplyDeleteHere I am,just like I said I would.
My family and I moved to Camarillo at Christmas time 1965 from Ingelwood,Ca..I went from Jr.High right into High School,I hated Camarillo and school.I wanted to move back to L.A. where my friends were since Kindergaten.The 10th grade however, was a different story,I finally settled in and opened up and made friends.
I was in the ACHS BAND,PEP BAND and Mrs. Covingtons office(mostly by request from my teachers).
I remember one time in my senior year, that I went to her office on my own because I had a dilema.I was in a rush in the morning getting ready for school so I wouldn't be late.I was in so much of a rush I didn't notice I left with with a different shoe on each foot and I didn't realize it till lunch time.When she came into her office and saw me sitting there she said"now what have you done?"I told her,"your not going to believe this" and pointed to my shoes.I thought she was going to have a baby with a bonnet on,she laughed so hard.YEP she let me go home to fix my problem.There were other exciting moments but I'll save that for the reunion.
After High School,I went to Moorpark College for a while and majored in Social Science(coffee shop).I left college to go to work.
My first job was in a plastics factory in North Hollywood,I commuted back and forth for two years,then a friend of mine helped me get a job at West Foods in Ventura(lovingly known as the Mushroom Farm)I worked as a secretary for them for two years, then was promoted to Packing and shipping supervisor and worked in that position for another two years until West Foods sold out to Dole.
I quit the Mushroom Farm in 1976 and moved out of Ventura County to the mountains of San Bernadino County.I changed my career totally and went into the manufactured housing business(building them,not sittin on my butt in an office)I absolutely loved it and that's what I've done ever since, until 1994,when I moved to Victorville to help my parents.
I should add that I also in the last 40 years have moved around quite a bit,my mom called me the Gypsy but I've settled down in Riverside County and work for a family owned ,commercial concrete cleaning Co.
I almost married in 1971 until I found out he couldn't be faithful.I thank God too,that I did find out....I still haven't found what I'm looking for.
In the last forty years,I've lived a very colorful life and met just as colorful people,some good,some bad and some very bad.
I've had very good times and very bad times,they say ,"experience is the best teacher," I say,"ABSOLUTELY" but I wouldn't change one thing about my life.
I could go on and on but there still is the reunion.
Fondly
John:
ReplyDeleteI'm really into Melrie McCartney's suggestion that we call you Doctor John, "What it is, run it down"...As I think you earned a PHD, for your time and sacrifice in putting this all together...
I've been to a lot of schools, starting in Somerset, MA to Waverly in Thousand Oaks, to Santa Rosa School, where Ray Bolton, Dave Crandel and myself graduated from a three room school to attend ACHS!!!
At Camarillo High, I made a lot of lifetime friends thru the FFA and Agg Class, unfortunately, not too many of them were females!!!
As you know, my dad died suddenly on January 2nd, 1968 and I left Santa Rosa Valley with my mother, to purchase a ranch in Yamhill, OR and finished my senior year there, while farming nearly 200 acres of deeded and leased property.
Yamhill/Carlton HS was ok, but I was pretty busy raising cattle, hay and grain, that I didn't get out much in 1969. Thank God our tractor had excellent headlights and ran a little hot, keeping me warm in Fall and early Spring. Not so pretty good in Summer!
I went to one reunion at Yamhill/Carlton, only to be remembered as the cowboy with manure on his boots!!! Everyone remembered my wife Kathy, and she couldn't convince the gatering of girls following her, the she never went to school there!!!
Anyway John, Camarillo HS will always be in my heart and the place I feel that I'm from. I can't begin to tell you, how much I appreciate your including me in the Class of 1969!!!
Regards,
Bruce J. Hadfield
Redmond, Oregon
Oh...GEEZE! Where to begin??
ReplyDeleteI feel a little left out (as I did in 64') because I did not know anyone when I came to Camarillo ...9th grade...the new kid in town!
Not just the new kid, but the new Nerdy kid just settling in from living in England from 61 to 64...(Beatle-mania time)
I left London the same day the Beatles came out to be on Ed Sullivan's show. (Mick Jagger was on my plane and I have his autograph on a TWA post card as proof)
My first day at ACHS threw me back a loop when I overheard someone say how "Bitchen" something was... How what?? I felt so out of touch and foriegn.
I managed to stay to myself and even to escape "slave day" (Are they still doing that?)
My Sophmore year, I broke down and got my first kiss (on my birthday) from Larry Kerns (68 grad)...my first steady boyfriend... only lasted a few months, but I had lunch with him a few yrs back after finding him on classmates.com...
Met a college man my Junior year (grad from Oxnard High) so I really never had very many close friends in my class...except Mary Beeman! She lived across the street and we shared many days and nites together. I still love you Mary mary!! (she found me on Reunion.com)
I moved to Garbage Grove the beginning of my Senior year but I just could not hack it there!!! So I moved back to Camarillo over Christmas break and stayed with my friend, Flavia (68 grad) and her family (where are you Flavia)until February ... I had enough credits to graduate early so that is exactly what I did! And then I came back in June to graduate with the class! (That is why my senior picture (which was taken in the summer before I moved)was not in the year book)BOO!
After graduation I moved to Hawaii for a couple of yrs...got married (23yrs and 2 kids)..moved back to California...Los Gatos (Bay Area) for 7 yrs then up to Davis so my X could go to Vet school.
Well I am still in Davis (since 79) with my second husband, David (almost 2yrs) and both of my kids live spitting distance away.
Wish I could come to the reunion, but it is just not going to happen this year...husband is w/o work now and I am faced with cut backs at UCD where I have been employed for the past 28 yrs...Got my health!
I will be checking back on here (Thanks, John!) to see how the reunion went...so want to see lots of pic's on Face Book!!
Thinking 'bout the class of 69
Darla McGee (Kelley)
Hi All....I guess I had fun in high school. I just don't remember much of it...After I graduated I went to Ventura College and played football there after I graduated I got and NCAA football scholarship to Weber State College in Ogdan Utah. When I came back home I started a construction company and build several homes at Oxnard Shores and in Ojai. In the late 70's I got married and we had 2 daughters. I have one son from a previous marriage. In the early 80's I moved up to Redding,CA. where I currently live. I build several homes in Redding and then retired.
ReplyDeleteThe blog is great, John, thank you. I was telling my mother about it and I said, “John Spohn, bless his heart, put together a website and a blog.” In high school I never would have predicted that I would use the words “John Spohn” and “bless his heart” in the same sentence!
ReplyDeleteI left Camarillo right after graduation to go to UC Davis. I had a great time and still managed to graduate. I met my first husband there and we got married in 1973. He took a job in Portland Oregon in 1976 and we moved up here. My daughter was born that December. We “renegotiated” our relationship in 1980 and remain very good friends to this day.
I was ready for a change of career (I was running a child development center) so I headed back to graduate school in 1981. I got my MBA from the Kellogg Business School at Northwestern University. Chicago nearly froze my fingers off, but it is still one of my favorite cities in the world.
After business school I worked in Boston for a couple of years. It became pretty clear to me that I was a “west coaster” and I headed back to Portland in 1987. I worked in corporate marketing with a startup computer company and spent my free time volunteering at my daughter’s school.
In 1991 I left the computer company with some colleagues to form a consulting company. I spent the next twelve years working all over the world – Brazil and Argentina to Europe and South Africa – and loved it. To this day I when watch the Amazing Race I find myself telling the participants which airline and flight they need to take to get from point A to point B.
One day I woke up and realized I really did not give a damn what brand of bottled water or toothpaste people purchased so I left the corporate world for the nonprofit world. It was one of the best decisions I ever made. I do marketing and development with an organization called the Children’s Justice Alliance whose mission is to improve outcomes for children of criminal justice involved parents. I love the work and I love seeing people’s lives change for the better.
I met my husband in the mid nineties when my consulting company hired him to do our east coast business development. He moved to Portland and we married in 2001. My daughter is almost 33 and runs an organic farm with two other young women. She is an independent spirit and my “grandchildren” have fur and four feet.
One of the funniest memories I have of Camarillo dates from the fourth grade at PV School. Kennedy and Nixon were running for president. At recess a bunch of us ran around chanting “All the way with JFK” while another group chanted for Nixon. I think we even jumped rope to those chants! None of us knew one man from the other, but we were certainly very opinionated. I still love the challenge of politics, but now I know what my candidates stand for.
Best to you all,
Mindy Clark
Portland, OR
I lived in the Santa Ynez Valley for 10 years--attended school from 3rd grade through the end of my junior year, then we moved to Camarillo where I graduated with the class of '69.
ReplyDeleteThe friendliness and fun of this class makes me regret that I was so shy back then. The class at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School is a bunch of snobs who don't even acknowledge my existence. Come to think of it, they didn't back then either, except to make my life a living hell!
I'm now claiming ACHS as my true alma mater!
(Back then, I went by the name of Kaye. My last name is still Waller.)
I moved to Camarillo in 1962. I had Mrs. Howard as my 6th grade teacher. She had a piano in her room so we sang almost everyday. I loved music. Junior high I won a scholarship to a private girls school in Camarillo. Back to ACHS for high school. I loved music and PE. Mrs Boswell was my favorite PE teacher. She was always so positive and encouraging. The majority of my time was spent in music.
ReplyDeleteI remember one night a large group of us decided to toilet paper Mr. Smithbacks house. He lived down the street from me. Some of the guys were making a lot of noise and he came out of his house. We all scattered for cover. I hid behind a car up the street and he found me. I couldn't believe that this was my teacher...he was so cool about it..just laughed hard. I never told my parents and neither did he. I remember my canary yellow firebird with the hurst 4 speed. I loved that car.
I can also remember when Dicky Collins voice started to change. I thought that was so funny because he was went from high to deep.I spent a lot of time at the Collins house as it was being built and after.
I remember the summer a group of us went to Europe to study. We went to the University of Salzburg, Austria. Pam Tuber and I shared a room most of the summer. We had so much fun. Hot bread just out of the oven and chocolate as we were getting out of school for the day. It was great to see Pam again after all of these years.
I went to Moorpark College my senior year half day as did several others. From there up to a place called Angwin, CA. It was not even on the map when I went there. Got an AA in nursing. Then a BSN (nursing) and a masters in public health administration from Loma Linda University, and a master degree in nursing administration.
Married a Marine Corps fighter pilot. Moved to Hawaii, Wales, England, Scotland, back to CA, South Carolina, and here to Texas. Have traveled much: Egypt, Africa, Hong Kong, Guam, most of the Pacific, Mexico, Canada, Bahamas, Carribeian, Norway, most of Europe, and Ireland.
I am so glad that I attended this reunion and had to opportunity to reconnect with so many wonderful people. John and the committee did an outstanding job. People that I show the website to are just amazed.
I remember Lance from grade school. Small world.
John keep up the good work and see ya'll in five years. Stay in touch.
Mary Sheldon
John, you've been amazing about reuniting all us Scorpions. It's been so fun and we all appreciate it...and you!
ReplyDeleteMy earliest memories start in Camarillo. My family moved there from San Francisco when I was two years old, so I'm practically a native.
I went to Pleasant Valley school from kindergarten through 6th grade. Two of my top five most embarrassing experiences happened there. I also had quite a bout of whooping cough when I was in second grade. I remember being home and listening to I Love Lucy on our television because the picture tube was out. Practically all my report cards from elementary school (some of which I still have) contain comments from the teachers that say something to the effect of, "Trudy would be a good student if she would apply herself."
I continued to be a so-so student in Los Altos. I do remember the day we learned about Kennedy's assassination. I also remember hearing about the Beatles at Los Altos. Everyone was talking about them one Monday and seemed to know all about them from having watched the Ed Sullivan Show. I had not seen it but didn't want to be left out, so when I was asked which was my favorite Beatle I said Ringo (because his was the name I remembered best). I went on to REALLY love the Beatles!
I have to admit that most of my memories of ACHS take place in the music room. Everything else is kind of a blur (especially math), and my life was focused on everything music and everyone who was in that crowd. I loved choir and festivals; choraliers, the Today Generation and performing; West Side Story and The Fantasticks. Amazingly, I managed to graduate anyway.
I went to Ventura College for a year, the University of Arizona for almost a year, then came back to Camarillo and worked at the newly opened Newberry's. I met and married my husband in 1972. We've lived in the San Fernando Valley, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Brazil (for a year) and, for the past 20 years, Seattle, WA. We have two girls, and two grandkids who all, happily, live nearby in the Seattle area.
My mother still lives in the house I lived in during high school and I love coming back to Camarillo for visits. It's such a beautiful town and I'm so grateful to have grown up and lived there. I can't imagine a better place (or time) to live in!
It's been especially fun to reunite with old friends, and make new ones because of the great 40th reunion events that we've just experienced.
Thanks again, John!
Trudy (Love) Tantalo
A fun coincidence! After she graduated from college my daughter came home from a job interview (for a position she eventually got with the University of Washington). She was telling me about her potential new boss and her bosses' boss, whose name was Sheila Lukehart! I nearly fell off my chair, then told her that I had graduated from high school with Sheila...My daughter has worked as a biologist in her lab for around eight years. I've never seen Sheila here in Seattle, but did see her back in Camarillo after 40 years...last weekend at our reunion!
ReplyDeleteHi Everyone! It is so great to hear your stories and reconnect.
ReplyDeleteMy family moved to Camarillo in 1958. My Dad was a LA County Fireman and became a commuter -- he was gone a lot while we were growing up since there were 5 kids, Dad often had 2 or 3 jobs. I went to St. Mary Magdalen and fondly remember Bob Flasch, Don Turner, Valerie Trahan and many others. It was something of a culture shock to go to a public high school after 8 years in a Catholic School (wearing a uniform). I always felt somewhat backwards compared to my classmates who had attended Los Altos Junior High. My four younger brothers all went to El Rancho and then Los Altos -- we lived just down the street. The eldest of my brothers Michael, was in the 1st grade when I was in the 8th grade at St. Mary Magadalen. My job used to be to drag Michael back and forth to school - he pitched so many tantrums that my parents finally gave up and let him go to El Rancho with his friends in the neighborhood. I was astounded! Why didn't you let ME go to El Rancho! I demanded. My parents replied, well, you never complained so we thought you were happy at St. Mary's. :-) I learned a BIG lesson then.
After graduating from ACHS I attended Ventura College for a couple of years then got married and had my son, Gabriel in August 1972. We moved to the Long Beach area in 1973 as my husband got a job at TRW in Manhattan Beach. I went to California State University, Long Beach and finished my BA degree (in History) and later started working at CSULB. I divorced in 1982, then decided I wanted a change, so I left in 1984 to attend UC Berkeley, where I earned my MLIS (in Librarianship) in 1986. I returned to CSULB afterwards and have been there since .. eventually decided I wanted to go to school again (a glutton for puishment, I guess) and earned a Master in Public Administration degree this time. I also work as a substitute Librarian for the Long Beach Public Library...which I LOVE.
My son, Gabriel, is a longshoreman and works for the Ports of Long Beach/Los Angeles, owns his own home and is doing great. Not married, no grandchildren ... yet. But I keep hoping.
I always think fondly of my years growing up in Camarillo and would love to retire there. I miss it and especially miss my friends Yvonne, Maria and Susan! It amazes me how very naive I was when I graduated from high school - I had no real idea about the possibilities out in the world.
What a wonderful way to find out how and what all of our classmates have been doing for the last 40 years. Thank you, John, for doing all the work.
ReplyDeleteHow to spell out the last 40 years in my life in a brief narrative? It has been a terrific ride and I look forward to the next 40. Being from a military family and living all over the country, Camarillo was heaven.
My family (parents and seven children) moved from Oxnard to Camarillo in December of 65. It was such a beautiful town with lots of fields and orange groves to explore. I began Los Altos mid seventh grade and loved every minute. I "went steady" with about 15 guys in Jr. High and loved kissing at the theater (?name) on Ventura Blvd. (I think it's a music store or something now.) I was busy watching the people more than the movies! What an education! What I remember best was being a cheerleader for the Trojans, going to Wagon Wheel to roller skate, trips to the mall in Ventura, T-burger, A & W Rootbeer stand, Disney, riding horses, dancing in people's garage parties and lots of slumber parties. Sure wish we had digital photog back then.
I began ACHS as a 13 year old (way too young) and stumbled my way through. I wanted to be a nurse but after missing 2 weeks of freshman year with Mono, I couldn't catch up in Latin, Algebra, etc. Anyway, during high school, I volunteered at the State Hospital working with Developmentally disabled young women. Many of my friends tried to volunteer with me but found it too hard. After graduation I worked for a year for Capitol Record Co. to earn the $ for a car, then got a Psych Tech degree from Ventura and worked for the next 4 years. I met my husband George there and we were married in 1972. He was a fireman and eventually made Fire Chief. We raised a son, Scottt from his previous marriage and had another in 1974, my sweet Patrick. When he was 6 months old I started Nursing school and graduated in 1980 with my R.N. I worked at St. John's Hospital for 3 years, Emergency Dept. During this time, my husband was injured at work and had to retire. We opted to move to the country where we could have horses, cows, etc. and ended up in Arkansas. We have 58 acres, 11 cows and calves, (had 4 horses but no one can ride anymore.) I continued my career in Nursing in a huge hospital in Little Rock with Helicopters, trauma and cardiac emphasis. After 15 years in E.R. Dr. says, find a less stressful job, so, I became a college health nurse (now Assistant Director) at the University of Central Arkansas Student Health Clinic. I was working on my Master's of Family Nurse Practioner when both parents became ill. I also became a grandmother again (total of four) so I gave it up. Parents, Mother-in-law and brother all died within 3 years so we were busy grieving and celebrating at the same time. I am planning on retiring in May and continuing to travel the U.S. with the hub. We have taken 6 weeks each year to make our way aroung the country.
I love to cook, read, garden, craft and laugh. I do a mean Kareoke of Janis Joplin's Me and Bobby McGee!
I wasn't able to make the 40th reunion but I will come to the next, for sure. I love hearing about everyone's lives and look forward to more.
Best to all, Christie Lander (McCrory)
Aloha everyone,
ReplyDeleteReally loved seeing old friends and school mates at the reunion. Most of you missed the post brunch entertainment with yours truly at the piano and Dan Tullis and John Stanewich and others singing harmonies to the oldies which will always be the best!
I am proud to announce that I, Sally Spiro ( Stuffmann) was the first and only art student to graduate from the old Camarillo State Hospital now CSUCI (California State University at Channel Islands) with a bachelor's degree in art in 1998. I loved college and attended for 20 years. You realize they had to call it Channel Islands because CA. St. Univ. Camarillo's acronym is CSUC (like that sucks)LOL
My brother, Steve Spiro(Spike) is doing great - After playing a season with the Green Bay Packers, he played with the Winnepeg Bombers and then worked at the Stockton Youth Authority where he recently retired. He and his wife ,Cindy have two beautiful boys both college grads now. They just bought a big house on the golf course in Woodland near Sacramento. Steve and my two sisters, Susan and Shelley Spiro all came to visit me at the same time here in Kaua'i last year and we hooked up with Mike Pierce who took them sailing on his 44 ft. catamaran. Great fun!
Mindy Clark and her husband are coming to Kaua'i in Feb. - My husband,Scott and I want to show them our favorite places on the island. We appreciate our little paradise in a new way every time we show it off.
Living the dream in
Alohaland, Sally Spiro (Stuffmann)
Hi again,
ReplyDeleteSince this blog is also to recount our experiences in high school I thought I'd post a favorate memory. Freshman year at ACHS was the first time many of us rode a bus to school -- either because we attended private elementary schools (St. Mary Magdalen) or went to schools in the neighborhood (El Rancho or Los Altos). It was certainly my first time - getting to ACHS was easy as I could just follow the crowd to the bus stop across from El Rancho, but getting home was something else altogether. I remembered that first day trying to figure out which bus I was supposed to take home -- when they are all parked together it is hard to tell. Yvonne Trainor and I got on the same bus. At first we didn't notice anything wrong, other than it seemed a weird route around Las Posas Road when we lived off of Arneill Road. We didn't worry too much until the driver left Las Posas Road and headed towards Oxnard! Yvonne and I were the last ones on the bus when the bus driver asked what we were still doing there (now we were somewhere in El Rio). We told him we thought he would be going back to ACHS and we'd figure out our way home from there. The driver laughed and said that all of the buses returned to Oxnard for the day - that was their home base, not in Camarillo. You can imagine that we were panicking by then! The driver said to walk to one of the houses near the bus stop and ask if we could use the phone to call our parents. Fortunately, a very nice woman was home and I called my Mom, who came to pick us up. Mom had a very good laugh at Yvonne and I (we were mortified) and that story made the rounds of family and friends. This was just one of many adventures with Yvonne - including us riding our bicycles to Silver Strand Beach (in Oxnard Shores) and back. Riding through farmland can be fraught with peril -- nearly ending up in drainage ditches numerous times from big trucks zooming by, being chased by dogs, honked at by young male drivers (and offered rides, even though we clearly had our own transportation). So many good memories!